New National Business Names Registration System

A new National Business Names Registration System is expected to commence on 28 May 2012 and will replace the current state and territory registers.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will be administering the national business names registration service.

Below we cover how the new system will affect your business, and what to do in the lead up:

You will only need to register for a business name once, instead of having to register your name in each state and territory you want to operate in. Once your name is registered, it is registered nationally.

You will need to have an Australian Business Number (ABN), or be in the process of applying for one and not have been refused, in order to apply for a business name.

ABN registrations will continue to be free.

You do not need to do anything to transfer your business name to ASIC when the new national business name system is launched. Your existing business name registration will automatically be transferred over into the new system. The due date for renewing your business name will remain the same.

If you have identical business names currently registered in multiple states and territories, these identical business names will be transferred over into the new system as a single registration. Under the new system you will only need to pay one renewal fee for the name to be registered nationally, instead of paying for each state and territory. Your renewal will fall due on the last date of expiration listed on any of your business name registrations.

If you have multiple different business names, or also have a registered company, you will be able to align the renewal dates for those registrations.

If you have multiple principal places of business across Australia, ASIC will notify you of which address it intends to use as the principal place of business for sending documents. You may nominate an alternative address for service after the new system has commenced.

If your business has an identical name as another business operating in another state or territory, ASIC will provide additional information on the public register to differentiate affected businesses. This may be the state or territory your business name was first registered in. This identifier will not form part of your business name, but is used to allow people to distinguish between identical business names on the public register.

ASIC will continue to manage and administer company registrations throughout Australia. If you also have a business name, or multiple business names registered, you will be able to align the renewal dates for all of those registrations under the new system.

Yes. The new system will allow you to search existing business names before progressing with an application for registration of a new business name.

Before registering, you should also check that your proposed name doesn't already have a trade mark registered against it. For more information on trade marks and business names, see our Trade marks page.

To register or renew a business name it will cost $30 for one year, or $70 for three years.

Once the system has commenced, ASIC will notify you. Until then your state or territory will continue to notify you when your registration is due.

ASIC will manage and administer all business name registrations and renewals throughout Australia once the new system has commenced.

If you:

you will need to visit the ASIC website.

Until the new system is in place, you will need to follow the current process for registering a business name in your state or territory. For more information on how to register a business name, see our Register your business name page.

You will still receive a renewal notice from the existing agency responsible for business name registration in your state or territory. You will need to pay your renewal fee to that agency.

Currently, fees for registration vary for each state and territory. To find out how much your registration fees are now, contact the agency responsible for business name registrations in your state or territory: